Israeli Shell Strikes Gaza’s Holy Family Church, Killing Three People

Gaza’s Holy Family Church Struck, Resulting in Casualties Amidst Israeli-Hamas Conflict

The only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip became a site of tragedy on Thursday when an Israeli shell hit its compound, resulting in three deaths and injuries to ten people, including the parish priest. Church officials confirmed the incident, which has intensified concerns amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Holy Family Catholic Church compound, serving as a refuge for hundreds of Palestinians during the 21-month-long conflict, suffered significant damage in the attack.

Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, described the compound as a haven for both Christians and Muslims, including numerous children with disabilities.

According to Caritas Jerusalem, the casualties included the parish’s 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman who was receiving psychosocial support in a Caritas tent. Parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli sustained minor injuries.

Shady Abu Dawood, whose mother was injured by shrapnel, expressed his anguish, stating, “We were struck in the church while all the people there were elders, innocent people and children. We love peace and call for it, and this is a brutal, unjustified action by the Israeli occupation.”

The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, stating it is under investigation, and emphasized its efforts to minimize harm to civilians and protect civilian structures, including religious sites.

In an unusual move, the Israeli Foreign Ministry extended an apology via social media: “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty.”

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack, highlighting that the church was sheltering 600 displaced individuals, including many children and 54 people with disabilities. The Patriarchate reported considerable damage to the building.

The Church labeled the attack on the sanctuary as “a blatant affront to human dignity and a grave violation of the sanctity of life and the inviolability of religious sites,” emphasizing the role of such sites as safe havens in wartime.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences and urged for “dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.” He also conveyed his sorrow over the casualties and his solidarity with the injured Fr Romanelli and the parish.

The late Pope Francis, remembered for his frequent communications with Fr Romanelli, had been a vocal advocate for the situation in Gaza, often calling at 7:00 pm nightly, according to church members.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the attack, stating, “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable.”

On the same day, another strike in the Al-Bureij refugee camp killed one person and injured 17 at two schools sheltering displaced individuals, as reported by Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military has yet to comment on this incident.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that in the last 24 hours, 94 bodies have been received by local hospitals, along with 367 wounded individuals, due to Israeli strikes.

Since the conflict erupted on 7 October 2023, over 58,600 Palestinians have lost their lives, with women and children constituting more than half of the casualties, according to ministry estimates.